Borealis | Company Structure Information from ICIS

Borealis is a fully integrated petrochemical company. Its main business includes supplying the plastics manufacturing industry with raw materials such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). It also supplies ethylene, propylene, phenol and aromatics.

Borealis currently has around 5,075 employees and sales of around Euro6bn (2010). Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, it also has production sites and compound units in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the US.

In February 2009, Borealis reached an agreement to sell its melamine and additives business and operations in Castellanza, Italy, to investor group Borgo Olona for an undisclosed sum. (For more on this story please go to ICIS news).

In April 2008, Abu Dhabi’s IPIC signed an agreement with Borealis and the Abu Dhabi Investment Council to build a large-scale integrated olefins and aromatics complex in the Middle East emirate.

The project, named ChemicalsIndustrialCity, will comprise of a naphtha cracker, downstream ethylene and propylene derivatives plants, a reformer, and xylene, benzene, cumene, phenol and derivatives units. The first phase is expected in 2013.

In August 2007, Ineos completed the Euro290m ($394m) acquisition of Borealis’ petrochemicals business in Norway. The business included a 50% interest in the Noretyl ethylene cracker at Rafnes and three polyolefin plants producing polypropylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) at the nearby Bamble site.

Borealis is structured into two business groups: Polyolefins and Base Chemicals.

Polyolefins

Pipe systems

The applications cover water and gas distribution, waste and sewage disposal, chemical and industrial projects, in house plumbing and heating as well as oil and gas exploration and transport.

Energy and communication cables

The applications are used in low, medium and high-voltage energy transmission and distribution cables, in data and communication cables, and in building and automotive wires.

Automotive

Borealis supplies a wide range of plastics solutions to the automotive industry that are used for dashboards, door side claddings, front ends, air vent systems, bumpers and under body shielding.

Borealis sources basic feedstocks (such as naphtha, butane, propane and ethane) from the oil and gas industries and converts these into ethylene and propylene through its olefin units.

Phenol and aromatics

Phenol, benzene and cumene as well as acetone are sold mainly to the adhesive, fibre, epoxy resin and polycarbonate industries in northern Europe. Phenol is used in adhesives, construction materials, carpets, CDs, DVDs, mobile phones and household appliances.

Melamine and plant nutrients

Melamine and plant nutrients are produced at its facility in Linz, Austria. Melamine products include coatings, compounds for house ware, concrete liquefiers, paint resins, fibreboard binders, special resins for textile and paper finishing, and fire blockers.

Borealis
Strategy & Financial Highlights

Borealis states that 2010 will be a “tough year” for the company, but its strategic focus on innovation, commercial and operational excellence as well as safety is believed to give it a “competitive advantage” going forward. (Edited from annual report and company website). ICIS also provides you with key financial data listed in table form.
More about Borealis Strategy & Financial Highlights

News:

Get news on Borealis plus the latest chemical news, information, data, market movements and analysis
in one place with ICIS news

Search:

Find details on other chemical companies and suppliers with
ICIS search

Newsletters:

ICIS offers a range of FREE e-newsletters to ensure that you don't miss out on the latest development and key market intelligence in your industry. If you want the latest news sent to your inbox, sign up for ICIS e-newsletters today.

Plants and projects:

Find out more about current and planned chemical plants and projects by subscribing to our comprehensive database

Paul Hodges looks behind today's headlines and studies key influencers shaping the chemical industry over the next 12-18 months. He takes a closer look at oil prices, economic growth and the environment among other things, along with some light-hearted banter along the way.